Written by Jonathan Sidi
KOTA SAMARAHAN – A team of final-year students from the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FCSIT) and Faculty of Resource Science and Technology(FRST), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), has secured a top spot in the highly prestigious Youth Innovation Challenge (YIC) 2025 (Zon Sarawak).
In Sarawak’s quiet fish farms, an unlikely hero has emerged. What most see as a weed, a group of UNIMAS students saw as a solution, transforming it into a low-cost, sustainable fish feed that has now earned them national recognition
Their project, Lettuboost, a sustainable and cost-effective fish feed solution, was recognized for its innovative approach to addressing critical issues in food security and economic sustainability for small-scale farmers.
The Youth Innovation Challenge is an initiative by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) through Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM), aimed at cultivating young social innovators from higher learning institutions.
The best projects in the challenge are eligible for grants of up to RM40,000 under the Malaysia Social Innovation (MyIS) Perintis 2025 program to further develop their ideas into viable solutions.
The Lettuboost project, led by a talented student team and guided by advisor Mr. Jonathan Anak Sidi from FCSIT and Dr. Lee Kui Soon from FRST, proposes a novel solution to the rising costs of commercial fish feed.
Their innovation utilizes water lettuce, a fast-growing invasive aquatic plant, to create a nutritious and affordable feed rich in protein, fibre, and selenium.
This solution not only helps farmers reduce their operational costs but also contributes to environmental management by repurposing an invasive species.
“This is a fantastic achievement that showcases the dedication and creativity of our students,” said Mr. Jonathan Anak Sidi.
“Their work on Lettuboost embodies the spirit of using technology and innovation for social good, which is a core value of faculty programs. It’s a testament to the high-quality research and mentorship provided here at UNIMAS.”
The Lettuboost team’s success builds upon their previous accomplishments, including being the Shell Livewire Sarawak Winner and securing second place in the Vibes Innovation Challenge 2025.
Their continued success solidifies UNIMAS and both faculty reputation as a nurturing ground for impactful and marketable innovations. The faculty extends its congratulations to the team for their remarkable achievement.
From left: Zulhilmi Reduan (FCSIT), Dr. Sharmila Mohamed Salleh, Chief Executive Officer Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM), Pavithran Julieus (FRST) and Jonathan Sidi
With this latest recognition, UNIMAS continues to inspire the next generation of researchers and technologists to solve real-world problems and make a lasting positive impact on society.
FCSIT is one of the Premier Digital Tech Institutions endorsed by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
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